Going Dutch in Michigan

I love going to visit all the communities that I support, but wow! There's something special about the community in Holland, Michigan. Not only is the on site team wonderful to work with, but the surrounding area is simply gorgeous.

And I'm a lucky mama because Oliver and Julie were able to come up from Chicago so we could hang out for the weekend.

We had one full day and we're going to make the most of it. We started with some unusual but delicious coffee from Waffles at 205. Theirs was Vietnamese with cinnamon and coconut, and mine had honey and cayenne. We took our Java and wandered all around the Holland Farmers market.

The kids got to try freeze dried candy for the first time.

We talked to a woodworker who started doing his work as a way to help him heal from alcoholism 20 years ago and now it's his livelihood.

We talked to the owners of this amazing quirky and whimsical fish sculpture store. He makes them as a hobby and they donate 100% of their proceeds to charity. Wish I lived closer because I would fill my house with these.

But the best part of the farmers market was Layla, the Bare Necked Silkie chicken. Isn't she a beaut?

These kids... They make me smile. I swear, I don't know which one is funnier and I loved every second we were together.

Well, except for the part that I lost to them in mini golf. It's tradition that the three of us hit the mini links. And this time, rules were set (everyone gets one mulligan, whoever gets a hole in one gets to make a rule, there is no limit of hits per hole) and awards were on the line (the loser would have to make all decisions the rest of the day, be referred to as "A**hole Loser" the rest of the day and had to refer to the other two as "your royal highness superlative and ultimate great one").

I was not... I mean NOT... Going to lose.

And guess who got the first hole in one? Moi!!! My rule was that they had to go goofy hand and putt backwards for a hole.

And for the first half of the game, I killed it!!! But slowly they caught up until midgame totals showed the three of us were even Steven.

But then I lost my MOJO. Julie got two after two after two. Ollie and I were neck and neck for second, until I completely choked on the last two holes.

Julie won by a lot.

Oliver came in second.

And me? Well just call me A** Hole Loser.

Even with that tragic loss to my good name, my sense of accomplishment, and my pride, I rallied and took the Royal Magesties kayaking.

What a beautiful day out was on the water. It was the perfect way to cool off and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Later on, we toured around downtown Michigan and looked around in the stores. We tried out slime ball toys, cherry BBQ sauce, and Edam Cheese. We went in a store with hundreds of cuckoo clocks and one with wooden shoes.

Then we grabbed some pizzas and headed to Windmill Gardens to watch the sunset.

We saw black squirrels running in the trees above our heads and hundreds of birds flying to the bog to take shelter for the night. Such a beautiful and peaceful way for this A** Hole Loser to enjoy the night with the Royal Magesties.

The next morning, after coffee and breakfast with Oliver, I had to head to the airport.

Minutes before I was to board my first flight to Charlotte, I got word that my second flight was canceled because of dagnam Big Debby Tropical Storm.

My message from American said they would rebook me. "Sure they would", my snarky inner mind said.

But they did!

If all goes according to plan, I'll fly home tomorrow instead of today and my flight is after work so I don't have to cancel my meetings and work virtually from the hotel room all day. Perfect!

My dad sent me a message asking me if I was planning to adventure in Charlotte now that I'm here.

Yup, Daddles. Of course I am.

I did a quick search for "Unique things to do in Charlotte" while walking through the airport to baggage claim to see if my bag was getting off the plane (spoiler alert... The answer is no. The poor overwhelmed and overworked American Rep was shrieking at the top of her lungs for anyone who was willing to listen that no bags were off loaded and will be sent to our final destination and to please get out of the baggage assistance line. Second spoiler alert, I'm the only one who followed her advice. I passed by lines holding literally hundreds of people trying to change flights and find their baggage. Thank goodness for being an American airlines priority member so I didn't have to do that. I'm a loyal AA fan for life).

My search recommend "Optimist Market", so I jumped in an über and took off. Cool über driver - - high school American history teacher who told me some funny tales of being a driver.

I'm glad I decided to adventure at Optimist Hall. It's billed as "a food court and shops with a long proud history."

Optimist Hall was originally home to Charlotte’s largest textile mill. Built in 1892, the plant's signature smokestack was added three years later to service a boiler room. By the early 1900s, the Highland Park Manufacturing Company had become the nation’s third-largest producer of gingham. Though ownership changed several times, the mill continued to operate on some level until 2015. White Point Paces Partners purchased the property in 2016 with the vision for an adaptive reuse project that would give Charlotte its first food hall.

When you walk in the door, you get smacked by sensory overload. It smells like a lovely rich leather - - reminiscent of going shoe shopping at Thom McCann back in the day. The hall is full of trendy food booths and funky boutiques showcasing antiques along with the products for sale. Tons of plants everywhere and interesting food booths from all over the world. Definitely a fun way to spend the afternoon.

I called for an über I get back to my hotel and for the first time, I had the option of selecting my preferred temperature and conversation level in advance via the app. Cool!!! This will be a fun drive.

Well, I got in to a cloud of MJ smoke and a really, really relaxed über driver. Who did not say a word for the entire trip (even though I clicked that I was open to conversation on the app). But weirdly, a few minutes into the drive, he pushed a button that announced loudly for me to buckle my seat belt (it was buckled already, but ok). He did have a voice because he sang along to the radio for the drive, but I guess just didn't feel like talking. Fine with me. I say back and absorbed the sights of downtown Charlotte.

After he dropped me off at my hotel, I received two messages from über: one thanking me for giving the driver a tip and the second reminding me of the importance of wearing seat belts with taking an über ride.

I don't know if I feel cared for or if I need to lodge a fairness complaint for unsubstantiated critique.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that I can make it home tomorrow. It's been an amazing two weeks with getting to visit two wonderful communities, being in NYC and then Holland, and seeing Emily, Ollie and Julie.

But I gotta get home and back to the pottery studio so I can make some more stupid pottery.

Hey, if you want me to make you something, shoot me a text to 954.937.3480. Here are some samples... I would love to create something stupid for you too!!